Connecting community at Peace Village

Gathering draws youth from around the region

A hummingbird was rescued after summer storms during the Peace Village camp. Administrators and campers took turns holding the bird to warm it and bring it back to life. (Courtesy photo)

Another successful week of Peace Village is completed. It rained most every day at camp, for which we are grateful, because our community and state so desperately need the rain. The first morning of camp, a little hummingbird was cold and wet, and when it was first found, it was laid out flat and looked dead. Barbara Mader, owner of High Mesa Healing Center (where Peace Village is held each year), and the children took turns holding it to warm it up, and around 10:30 a.m., while one of the children was holding it, it flew away.

Thursday morning was spent at the Smokey Bear Ranger Station Community Garden where children learned about composting, earth worms, plants in the forest and much more. We are especially grateful to George Garnett and all the personnel at the Ranger Station who made the visit exciting.

Courtesy photo
Campers enjoyed a variety of outdoor activities at Peace Village this summer.

In order for Peace Village to be a reality, the communities that make up Lincoln County work together. Children from Alamogordo, Carrizozo, Capitan, Mescalero, Ruidoso and the states of Colorado and Texas attended camp this year. Thanks to all those who volunteer and work as one to make Peace Village happen. Businesses and individuals who make Peace Village possible come from all around Lincoln County.

We are especially grateful to Tim Coughlin, Jacqueline Pride and the Boys and Girls Club for including Peace Village in daily meals for the children. Thanks to Walmart and Lawrence Brothers for providing fruit for healthy snacks for the children. Thanks to volunteers Pat Payne and Robin Gilton for preparing snacks daily and to Gary and Kelly Whited and Sam Zweiger for delivering children's meals daily.

Thanks to Village Buttery, Subway, Schlotzsky's, Can't Stop Smokin' and the Jockey Club for providing lunch each day for age-group leaders, volunteers and teachers.

Courtesy photo
End of summer means end of camp and back to school. Counselors, administrators and campers gathered for one last photo shoot at Peace Village Camp held at the High Mesa Healing Center.

Thanks to Ruidoso Woman's Club, Capitan Women's Club, Candle Power, Altrusa and individuals for sponsoring children. Thanks to our photographer, David Tremblay and his wife Dee Dee, who are major contributors to Peace Village. Thanks to Barbara Mader who hosts Peace Village every summer at High Mesa Healing Center. Thanks to First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, Ruidoso, for making Peace Village a ministry of the church and thanks to Annie Sarrett, the church secretary. Thanks to Kaylah Glasgow for coming all the way from Colorado to help lead Peace Village.